HIPS proof testing in offshore or onshore applications
AssigneeSaudi Arabian Oil Company
InventorsPedro Alejandro Mujica, Herman Roberto Cipriano, Michael Anthony Picou
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and devices for maintaining production during proof testing of a safety system are disclosed. More particularly, systems, methods, and devices for maintaining production of fluids, such as hydrocarbons or water, during proof testing of High Integrity Protection Systems (HIPS) used to prevent overpressure scenarios during production, such as production of fluid by artificial lift, are described.
Claims20
A control system for maintaining a production fluid flow during proof testing of a High Integrity Protection System (HIPS), the control system comprising:
- a HIPS comprising:
- a first pressure sensor operable to sense a fluid pressure of the production fluid flow;
- a first circuit breaker operable selectively to open to prevent a flow of electrical power along the first electrical path or close to permit the flow of electrical power along the first electrical path;
- and
- a first data processor, the data processor operable to:
- receive a first pressure signal from the first pressure sensor, the pressure signal indicative of a fluid pressure of a production fluid flow;
- compare the received first pressure signal to a predetermined fluid pressure to determine the presence of an overpressure condition of the production fluid flow;
- and
- open the first circuit breaker to discontinue the production fluid flow if the received first pressure signal meets or exceeds the predetermined fluid pressure;
- and
- an auxiliary system comprising a second circuit breaker arranged in a bypass of the first electrical path, the second circuit breaker operable selectively to open to prevent a flow of electrical power along the bypass and close to permit the flow of electrical power along the bypass, the auxiliary system operable to close the second circuit breaker prior to the first circuit breaker being opened by the first data processor in response to a test pressure signal received by the first data processor from the first pressure sensor during the proof test.
A method of maintaining a production fluid flow during proof testing of a High Integrity Protection System (HIPS), the method comprising:
- forming a bypass of a first electrical path that extends between a power source and a pump, the first electrical path being selectively opened or closed by the HIPS in response to a pressure condition of the production fluid flow;
- initiating proof testing of the HIPS such that the HIPS detects an overpressure condition and opens the first electrical path;
- and
- maintaining flow of electrical power from the power source to the pump along the bypass prior to the first electrical path being opened.
A computer program product encoded on a non-transitory medium, the product comprising computer readable instructions for causing one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
- forming a bypass of a first electrical path that extends between a power source and a pump, the first electrical path being selectively opened or closed by the HIPS in response to a pressure condition of the production fluid flow;
- initiating proof testing of the HIPS such that the HIPS detects an overpressure condition and opens the first electrical path;
- and
- maintaining flow of electrical power from the power source to the pump along the bypass when the first electrical path is open.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.